Disclaimer: Of course I own Yusuke! Can't you see the ring on my finger? sparkle, sparkle Oh, wait, we're talking about YYH? Oh...well...then I don't own YYH...yet...

A/N: Thanks for the reviews everyone! I hope you enjoy the last chapter of To Catch a Thief, I really put a lot of hard work into it..so...REVIEW! Thanks, it would be greatly appreciated if you did. Hehehe. Well, enjoy the chapter!

Title: To Catch a Thief

Chapter Eight: The Decision

"How did you know, Yusuke?" Hito finally asked, tightening his grip on his cane.

"Keiko hits harder than that," the detective joked, but then grew serious. "When I told her about Botan, she didn't seem the least concerned about her. She only wanted to make sure she was safe. That's not Keiko..." He paused, looking at the imposter. "I got another one where that came from."

"Urameshi," Hito spoke up. "I'll handle him. You need to find Botan."

"Right." Nodding, he walked ahead of Hito toward the hallway. He suddenly stopped though. "Thanks Hito. I may not want to admit it, but you've been a big help on this mission." Giving a thumbs-up, Yusuke continued down the hallway...in search of Botan.

"Crap," feeling around the walls of the dark corridor, Yusuke couldn't find a light switch to negate the darkness. It was then he realized that he could use his spirit energy to create a source of lumination. "Jeez, I think Kuwabara's been rubbing off on me. I seem to have caught his stupid." Cracking a smile, he was about to create a light source, when his hand came across something that was sticking out of the wall. A secret entrance perhaps?

"I wonder where Scooby-Doo and the gang are," he thought, as he pressed the rough object into the wall. Instead of revealing a secret entrance, the hallway lit the way to a door at the end. "I give you an A for creativity, Kano," the black-haired teen shouted, making the walls reciprocate his outcry. "Don't let that make you think I like you though," he whispered, nearing the aperture--or as Yusuke would like to call: "the special door"

"Alright," standing in front of the door, Yusuke couldn't find it in himself to turn the knob. "Anytime now." It was like he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to save Botan and Keiko if he didn't defeat Kano. He would rather die than see them still in Kano's possession. "That's why I'm going to destroy him."

"What are you waiting for then?"

Yusuke didn't need to turn around to know who was standing behind him. It was Hito. The man he had doubted since he had met him inside the Shika Hotel. The man he should had trusted. Sighing, he joked: "Someone else to fight Kano," but Hito found nothing to laugh at. He only stared at Yusuke--almost searching his soul. What? Did I leave my zipper open or something?, he thought, about to look down at his pants when Hito said:

"There's no one else who can defeat Kano, Yusuke. Everyone is counting on you."

He nodded. "Great, 'cause I thought you were looking at my--"

"Don't let your emotions get in the way. Kano uses his mind powers to feed on people's emotions," pausing, he took a deep breath. Then, "He knows that he has something that you want. Play his game; after all, you have something that he wants." Stepping toward a confused Yusuke, he patted his shoulder strongly. "Be careful."

Be careful.

An image of Botan settled into his thoughts. "I think Kano wants something from you. He wouldn't use Keiko if he didn't.....please, be careful." God, why did everyone want him to be careful? Did they really have that little faith in him? Or was it that Kano was a stronger demon--wait, he was human. He could defeat him. What were they all worrying about? "I'll be fine," he finally said, putting his hand on the door. Then, in one fluent motion, he twisted the knob and pushed the door open.

"KANO!"

The room was dark. It took Yusuke's eyes a couple of seconds to adjust to the darkness. Then, as his surroundings became more clear to him, he walked deeper into the room, eyes wandering through the darkness. "Come out to play," he whispered, charging his energy, "I have a present for you."

"Me too," a voice boomed.

Looking around, Yusuke couldn't find the person behind the voice. "Come out!"

"Sorry, this game of hide-and-seek is more entertaining."

Yusuke smiled. "You should have watched the Genkai Tournament episodes, Kano, I already been through this once." He paused, eyes wandering around the room. "And I know now that you're hiding....THERE!" Thrusting his fists into the air, he yelled, "SPIRIT WAVE!" and concentrated the energy at his target--Kano.

Thud.

Kano went down--or did he? It was too hard to tell at this point.

"You know, Spirit Detective, you should watch where you are aiming," his masculine voice called through the darkness, "you might accidentally hit one of them." As he said this, Yusuke heard the faint footsteps of his opponent.

"Them? If you're talking about the place where the sun don't shine--" He stopped. Kano had turned the lights on, and what he saw startled him at first. His limbs and voice went numb just looking at the scene portrayed in front of him.

Two spheres of spirit energy rest in the center of the room; both containing someone precious to Yusuke--Botan and Keiko. On his left, the brown-haired girl known as Keiko lay unconscious within her sphere. To his right, the blue-haired fairy girl stood, eyes pleading at him for release. "Don't worry Botan, I will free you."

"Now, Yusuke, do you understand?"

"Yeah," he lifted his hand up, "that I have to use my spirit gun to free them."

"You're energy won't work," he explained, "it's just like the spirit wall."

He frowned. His spirit gun was useless. "What do you want?"

"Want?" He paced around the room. "To want is to desire." Again, he paced. Then, as soon as he started, he stopped. "I desire the Shikasta jewel." His eyes fell on Yusuke's angry brown orbs.

"That's not my problem," the teenager answered.

"Ah, but it is," Kano smiled, eyes shining with satisfaction. "You see, you have the one thing I desire, and I aim to take it." Once he said this, he looked over at the two spheres sitting in the middle of the room. "Let's make a trade."

Yusuke's eyes shifted on the thief. He looked exactly how Botan had described him; tall, well-built, and covered in numerous tattoos. The only similarity that he shared with his sister was the irregular blue hair, and that was only partially true because he had dyed most of his head blonde. "I wonder why....I never heard any blue-haired jokes."

Sighing, Yusuke turned his attention back to Kano's previous statement. "Trade? A two for one deal? I don't think you're that generous." As he put his hands into his green pants, he added: "What else do you want from me?"

The thief laughed. "I must say, you're very perceptive."

Yusuke was not moved by Kano's compliment. "Or maybe you're just stupid..."

"That may be so, but I do have the advantage."

Yusuke growled. "So, if I give you the jewel, you'll release Botan and--"

"Not exactly," interrupted the thief. Then, almost shouting, he added: "I'll release one girl if the Shikasta is in my possession." While he was talking, he had walked in the middle of the two spheres. "Now, show me that you have what I desire."

"I don't have the stupid jewel," the detective answered, eyes landing on two pink circles. "I--"

Kano growled. "You're pocket."

"My...?" Reaching a hand into his pants, he felt the rough edges of the jewel. "How did you..know?" Before Kano could answer, Yusuke added: "If you're trying any funny stuff, like looking into my pants, I'll--"

"Relax," he interrupted, "my sister told me exactly where to find it."

Yusuke didn't look at Botan. Instead, the ground had attracted his attention.

"Now, which one would you like to be released first?"

His eyes hastily caught Kano's. "Only one girl? What about the other?"

Kano smirked. "I'll get to that," he followed his arms, "now...have you reached a decision?"

I can't choose. Yusuke eyes shifted from Botan to Keiko. If I choose one, what will become of the other? His eyes landed on the ferry girl. Botan can take care of herself, but her powers are useless in that sphere. And what about Kano? He won't show her any mercy if I choose not to comply with his demands.

"I choose..."

He turned to his childhood friend. Keiko has nothing to do with this. I need to make sure she's safe. As his thoughts struggled to keep rational, he couldn't help but notice Botan's hands against the sphere. The interaction between the energy and her palms caused sparks to spew everywhere. He wondered if he could--

"Well, which one?" Kano repeated, sounding more impatient than ever.

"......Keiko."

Botan stared at Yusuke. Once again, he had chosen Keiko. Why? Was he more worried about Keiko's safety than hers? It was pretty evident that he still had feelings for his friend and would do anything to save her. Maybe the kiss between them was a hasty, yet impassive move as she had said to him earlier.

"No...I felt him..." Botan shook her head, desperately trying to discard thoughts of the kiss. She couldn't think about it anymore. What she felt was wrong. He had no feelings for her.

"Can I kiss you?"

Yusuke had wanted her though. He had wanted to kiss her.....

"Then why did he choose....her?" she thought, now looking at Keiko. "Was it because he trusted me?" She shook her head. "He trusts Keiko more." Looking at Yusuke, she felt heat rise to her face once she noticed that he was looking at her too.

"Botan...I'm so sorry..." Yusuke tried to channel toward her, as he gazed into her pink orbs. "I--"

"Fine choice," said Botan's sibling, with an amused tone. "I favored this one too." Growling, Yusuke was about to say something when he noticed Kano put his palm against the energy sphere, apparently pained with concentration.

With much effort, the sphere dissipated, revealing his now conscious friend. "Yusuke? Yusuke! What's going on? Where am I?" Looking around, Keiko put her hands over her mouth when she saw Botan. "Botan! What happened? I thought--"

"Silence, girl," the thief growled, "you're not free yet." As he looked at her, Yusuke didn't realize until it was too late that Kano was actually penetrating her mind for control. "Now, take the Shikasta jewel from Yusuke."

She turned around, eyes shifted coldly on Yusuke. "Yes master."

"NO!" Botan sank to her knees, helpless. She couldn't believe that after all that work, Kano would still win. No, it couldn't end like this. She banged her fist against the sphere again, this time receiving a spark of energy. "W-what?" She placed her palm against the sphere again. Sure enough, the sphere reacted to her touch. "My energy won't be enough to break through the barrier, I need--" She paused, eyes shifted on Yusuke.

His eyes landed on hers.

Yusuke, she thought, you need to use your energy to break through his sphere. She knew he couldn't read her mind, so she tried to demonstrate by putting her hands against the sphere. His eyes widened, seeing the spark of contact. That's when an idea came to his head.

Yusuke rubbed his finger along the jewel, eyes staring into Keiko's orbs of emptiness. Would his plan really work? "You won't win, Kano," whispered the detective, now giving the Shikasta to Keiko, who was standing before him, palms waiting to possess the jewel. Once he had handed it over, she made her way back to her master.

"On the contrary, Yusuke," he said, eyes gleaming at the sight of the jewel, "the Shikasta is mine; therefore, you lose." Laughing victoriously, he greedily took the jewel from Keiko. "You were no match for me!"

"Not quite!" the black-haired teen yelled, raising his hand. "SPIRIT GUN!"

Kano let out a frustrated sigh, as he created a spirit wall between him and Yusuke's spirit gun. "Don't be stupid, Yusuke," the thief said, once the attack dodged past him, "I have telepathy."

"You're still only human," a feminine voice said from behind. Then, "SPIRIT TUNNEL!"

Before her brother could turn around, a horizontal stream of energy shot through his hand, taking the Shikasta with it. "NO!" he yelled desperately, "my jewel!" His eyes followed the direction of the Shikasta as it dropped to the floor and skidded across the room. Then, turning around, he said:

"I won't let you thwart my plan again, sister!" With anger raging inside him, he used his telekinesis to send Botan into a wall. Then, walking toward her, he sent bolts of energy in her direction. "This time you will pay the ultimate price--death!" He stopped, watching the smoke build around her delicate form. And then she was gone. "Come on, Botan, you can't hide from me." Raising his hand, he let his eyes wander around the smoke.

"Leave her alone, Kano!" Yusuke said from behind, "I won't let you hurt her."

Kano opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Botan, who was still emerged in the smoke. "This is my fight, Yusuke. The BOA wanted to kill him, but I encouraged them to let him live in isolation. I'm the reason he is here today, and it is now my turn to correct my mistake."

"I never knew you cared so much, Botan," he closed his eyes, "guess I'll have to return the sentiment!" Opening his eyes, he thrusted both hands toward the smoke, emitting a heavy amount of spirit energy into her hiding place.

"Botan..." Yusuke whispered, eyes looking on with disbelief.

It was then Kano turned to face Yusuke, lips curved into a smile. "She was no match for me," he held his hand out to show Yusuke the scene behind him. It was Botan's oar, which was lying on the floor--in half. "If her oar couldn't take my power, I wonder....." His hand went to his chin, where he pondered sarcastically.

'Botan...' Yusuke thought, staring at the oar on the floor. 'I should have fought him, I could have saved...you...' Tears welled in his eyes, making his spirit energy increase dramatically. 'I should have saved you...' As he thought about Botan, a picture of her flashed through his head. Then, along with her face, came thoughts of their kiss. 'God, I never got to tell you how much....I--" Clenching his fists, Yusuke's furious gaze shifted on Kano.

"What's wrong? Spirit World can find a replacement."

"SHUT YOUR FACE!" the teenager yelled, eyes glaring daggers. "You just made a big mistake!"

"Bingo! It takes at least three months to find a replacement!"

Yusuke's eyes widened. 'Botan!' Looking up, his eyes met the cheerful eyes of his infatuation. 'She's....okay..' She was sitting comfortably on a new oar she had materialized. Not a scratch was on her. The broken oar must have been a distraction so she could make a get away.

"You should be more careful with the Shikasta, Kano," she exclaimed, pointing in Hito's direction.

She expected him to yell, scream, or even get angry. He only laughed. "You think that's your faithful BOA chief? Why don't you take another look, sister." As soon as her eyes met Hito's, his face changed into the face that had kidnapped her.

"The Shapeshifter..." whispered the teenager, now remembering that he left Hito with the imposter. 'Hito probably couldn't handle the shifter, so the shifter decided to take Hito's form in hopes of getting the jewel for Kano. Damn!'

"Yes," the thief said, awaking Yusuke from his thoughts, "and now that he has the jewel.....I can move on to the next phase of my plan." His eyes shifted to Yusuke. "I need your spirit energy to unlock the powers of the three jewels."

"What?!"

Kano smirked. "Surprised? Don't be, you're the perfect spirit sacrifice."

"Err....thanks, but I'll pass. I got a hair appointment tonight."

"Save the antics, Yusuke," he said, "I will use force to gain the power of the three jewels."

"Ayumi doesn't like when I cancel," the detective joked. Then, pulling his sleeves up, he added: "I, however, never put down a challenge. Let's go!" Getting into his fighting stance, he waited for Kano to follow. The thief only stood there, laughing.

"Foolish human. Why fight when I already have the jewels in my possession?"

Yusuke growled. "Who says I'm going to let you keep those jewels in your possession?"

"You can't stop me," said the blonde. Then, folding his arms, he said: "Shatsu, hand me the jewel."

"Not this time, Kano!" he said. Then, breaking into a run toward Kano, he yelled: "SHOT GUN!"

As he threw his fist into the air, thousands of tiny specks of energy emitted from his fist. Kano tried to create a forcefield, but it was too late. He was thrown into the floor, tears all over his clothes because of the bullets. "Shatsu, you must give me the jewel...." the thief said, getting up slowly. He was getting weak. "SHATSU!" Holding out his hand, his eyes bore into the shifter's.

Shatsu didn't move.

"What's wrong with--" Kano gasped, now seeing the reason why his accomplice couldn't move. Hito. He was standing behind Shatsu, holding his golden cane to the imposter's back.

"It's over," Yusuke said, towering over Kano. "You lose."

"NO!" Using his energy, he threw Yusuke back, and ran toward Shatsu. "The Shikasta is mine!"

Meanwhile, Botan looked at the scene from above. Yusuke was on the floor. Kano was running toward Shatsu. Hito was threatening Shatsu not to give Kano the jewel. "This has to stop. The Shikasta has to be....destroyed."

That's when an idea came to her head....

To be continued....

I thought this was going to be the last chapter, but it would have been REALLY long. I still have a lot of stuff to cover. ROAR! Hehehe. Anyway, I want to thank everyone for their reviews......and if you want to read more Botan/Yusuke, read the YYH stories on my fav stories. They are truly the best. Oh, and if you have any that I have not already put on my favs, just put the fic in your review. I love reading anything Botan/Yusuke.